Read the stories from the latest issue:
Summertime and road trips go hand in hand. Remember all those miles logged and hours passed playing games or dozing off? Summer seems somehow fuller when you hit the highway by jumping into a car, SUV or, in this case, two chartered buses. For the past 14 years, Youth for Christ Campus Life (Campus…
In 2015, President Barack Obama announced the Every Kid in a Park (EKP) program which provides all fourth-grade students with a free National Park pass for one year. The program was launched to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service (NPS). All fourth-grade students are eligible for the free pass beginning September…
American Academy Performing Arts (AAPA) is a program of extracurricular instruction, activities and experiences to supplement and challenge students to excel in the performing arts. As part of the American Academy (AA) curriculum, AAPA gives drama students the opportunity to develop confidence and poise on stage. AAPA is open to all three American Academy…
The City of Castle Pines is poised to become the home of a 20,000-square-foot specialized medical facility that uses an emerging therapy to more effectively treat a multitude of cancers. On May 23, Castle Pines City Council gave final approval for a purchase agreement to sell City-owned property at the southwest corner of Castle Pines…
Construction got underway in early June on the last developable pad in the Shoppes at Castle Pines business plaza. Dirt is being moved and fencing has been placed around the future site of Service Street, a vehicle maintenance business that specializes in oil changes, wheel alignments, brake repairs, emissions testing and other services. The project…
… at Coyote Ridge Park Five new pickleball courts are now open at Coyote Ridge Park in the City of Castle Pines. The City is still waiting on signage for the courts before an official opening in scheduled, but locals have already begun playing on them. Construction of the courts was started by the…
…in Douglas County When emergencies happen, communicating fast, reliable information can be vital in saving lives, solving crimes and mitigating damage. Residents in Douglas County can register for CodeRED alerts from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and all other Douglas County agencies. This system allows for mass notifications to areas where emergencies are…
Alumni from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy program were invited to a presentation by Douglas County Coroner Raeann Brown and given a private tour of the Coroner’s Office (CO). Being reunited and seeing fellow classmates after graduation was fun, and Deputy Brian McKnight put together an intriguing class about a topic many…
…the latest in dangerous teen trends Recent reports from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) warn about a couple of the deadliest new trends for Colorado youth – chroming (and its several variations) and car surfing. CHROMING: Chroming is not new but is now trending on social media under this different name. Popularly known…
…in Douglas County If you are staying in town for the July 4th holiday, there are plenty of activities in Douglas County to celebrate America’s birthday. Most events listed are free and open to the public, but some require registration, so check websites for specific details. Castle Pines While the City of Castle Pines does…
Douglas County is known for its incredible communities, world class outdoor amenities and amazing residents. One of the notable characteristics of those who call Douglas County home is their desire to make our future better through philanthropy. Your community partner in philanthropy is Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF). In recent years, DCCF experienced an organizational…
Shawn Cummings has the heart of a public servant. It is this drive and personal fulfillment that helped Cummings get where he is today. Cummings grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he cherished time with family and friends and developed a love of board and card games, a hobby he still enjoys. After…
Blooming people’s purpose In 2005, Professor Jeannette Haviland-Jones of Rutgers University published a scientific finding that flowers are an environmental approach to positive emotions. Empirically speaking, flowers have power. Lindsey Davidson Marrone tapped into this flower power and in 2019 started her floral design business, Bliss Bouquet Bar (BBB) from her home in the Estates…
Kary Kruger and her horse, Denver, are a perfect match. Kruger is a wife, mother, grandmother, retired matchmaker and novice horse lover. Denver is a bay thoroughbred rescue. The two connected seven years ago when Kruger bought Denver after he was rescued from being sold for slaughter. “I always knew I wanted to do…
Huck is one cool guy on the block that may look like a yellow lab, but he is actually a fox. That is, a fox red American Labrador (lab) retriever, significant for his red highlights. Five years ago, the Pardew family welcomed five-year-old Huck into their family when their youngest son Jack (now 17) asked…
… for gluten-busting research Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) rising senior, Aditi Avinash, is a science star in the making. In May, Avinash earned top honors at Regeneron’s International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas, Texas. Her research and findings for Model Validation and Preclinical Testing of Digestive Enzymes for Gluten Breakdown: A Move…
…for studying birth defects From the beginning, Cayden Bro’s journey has been filled with compassion and determination. He and his family moved to Castle Pines just blocks away from Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) when he was 2 years old. Once old enough to attend BRE, Bro lucked into a spot in Jenn Murdock’s…
On the second Wednesday of the second month of each quarter, a group of guys meet at Lone Tree Brewing Company to grab a beer and combine forces to support local charities. Guys, mark your calendars and join the next meeting on Wednesday, August 9. It is open to all. Guys Who Give (GWG) is…
As we celebrate our country’s freedom with fireworks and backyard barbecues, this month’s book recommendations turn us toward patriotism and some of the sacrifices countless regular people made on our behalf. Spanning the American Revolution to the aftermath of 9/11, these books shed light on the complexities of what patriotism is and how it can…
… with annual spring fashion show The Village Castle Pines Garden Club (VCPGC), “where friendships bloom,” celebrated spring with its annual fashion show and luncheon at the beautiful Castle Pines Golf Club on May 15. Carol McCraw and Tasha Carrington co-chaired the event, where eight garden club members modeled a variety of spring…
Despite some inclement weather, residents turned out for the annual Food Truck Frenzy on June 10 at Coyote Ridge Park. Live music, vendors, a bouncy slide and a bubble machine were just a few of the features of the neighborhood party. Caption and photos by Hollen…
Dear Readers, Let’s take it outside! The yard, the pool, the park. Common areas require common sense and an appropriate attitude toward noise and volume levels. Practicing good noise volume etiquette helps create a harmonious and respectful environment for all. Here’s the bottom line: if you are in a public space (including an airplane…
The online travel guide Travel Lemming publishes an annual list of “150 Best Things to Do in the USA This Summer” based on recommendations and votes from actual humans, not AI. Their motto is, “We make travel guides by humans, for humans.” Travel Lemming touts more than 10 million annual readers. This year’s list spans the…
…for military and first responders If you are active duty military, a veteran or an active or retired first responder, Douglas County Fair & Rodeo will give you one complimentary ticket to each of two Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo events –Military Appreciation Day and Cowboys for Cops Day. PRCA’s “Military Appreciation…
…in Greenland Until it burned to the ground again on May 11th of this year, the tallest building in Greenland, Colorado was a weather-seasoned red barn that was first built by Isaac Jegirtha Noe in the mid 1880s. His original three-cupola structure was first incinerated from a lightning strike in 1922. New owners at…
Castle Pines resident and beloved pre-school teacher Terry Matzat decided it was time to hang up her toy bin and supplies and start a new venture into retirement this spring. Matzat has been teaching preschoolers out of her home in Castle Pines for 17 years, first in HOA 1 for 10 years and then in…
With the sun finally out, it is time for a refresher on rattlesnakes and their potential danger. Many confuse non-venomous snakes (like bull snakes) with a rattler. The big qualifier: look for rattles at the end of the tail. Rattlesnakes are generally non-aggressive unless startled, cornered or stepped on. To prevent them curling up on…
Douglas County qualifying seniors have until July 15 to apply for the Senior Property Tax Exemption. Taxpayers 65 years and older as of January 1 and surviving spouses of seniors who previously qualified, who have owned and occupied a property as their primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years, may qualify for the…
…No garden required I am a terrible gardener. Plants cower in fear in my presence. I used to have a fantasy of growing the food I eat each summer from a backyard plot filled with squash, tomatoes, and luscious berries. My attempts have resulted in bug bites, frustration, and dirty fingernails, but very little…
…that are more interesting than water! Water is important to staying hydrated every day, especially in the heat and before and after exercise. Being dehydrated is hard on the body and often leads to headaches, cravings and fatigue. Drinking the recommended amount of water per day can be challenging, especially considering plain water can…
The Swaminathan family enjoys sports, particularly cricket. After living in Castle Pines for two years, Advait (15) will be a sophomore at Rock Canyon High School this fall, and Anirudh (11) will begin sixth grade at American Academy in Castle Pines. Both boys are becoming quite accomplished cricket players. When asked if cricket is comparable…
A group of men have come together to form a local chapter of F3, which stands for Fitness, Fellowship and Faith. F3 Castle Pines, a part of F3 Nation, was initiated by men who were attending F3 workouts in other locations and decided to establish a community closer to home. Judah Musick discovered F3 while…
The Douglas County Community Foundation recently hosted its annual Drive FORE DCCF golf tournament fundraiser at Ravenna, raising nearly $80,000. Information and photos provided by DCCF
Tomatoes are in season, and many residents are plucking them right off the vine in their own backyards or taking them home from the farmers market or grocery store. Tomatoes have antioxidants such as vitamin C and carotenoids like lycopene. Lycopene is associated with many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and certain…
DCS Montessori (DCSM) lower elementary summer campers enjoyed slime, goop and glob during a four-day Mad Science camp. Using real world science techniques, campers were able to touch, see, hear and smell what science is about. DCSM teacher Lynn Booton led the camp. Campers created, built and assembled a variety of take-home projects, which included…
Every year since 1988, CORE Electric Cooperative has selected 35 high school graduates (five teens from each of its seven districts) to each receive $2,000 for higher education. The 2023 grant recipients in 80108 are Channing Bower, Beckett Fleet, Kristen O’Leary and Morgan Shirer. CORE uses a lottery system to select the winners; there are…
Timber Trail Elementary Before and After School Enterprise (BASE) sent nine staff members and 58 kids, grades kindergarten through sixth grade, to the Rockies vs. Giants home baseball game in June. The summer program averages 35 field trips each summer, but the visit to Coors Field was a first for the program. Student Asher…
It was at a Navy summer program for rising high school seniors that Nikki Flocco said she “absolutely fell in love with the military.” Despite returning from the program in a wheelchair from a sprained foot, Flocco decided to apply to nearly all of the military academies. Flocco was accepted into The United States Coast…
Since forming Centura Health as a management company in 1996, CommonSpirit Health and AdventHealth have worked together as sponsoring organizations to meet the health care needs of the communities across Colorado and western Kansas. While this has been a strong partnership for 27 years, both organizations have grown and evolved over the years, as have…
From the choruses of New York City theater to teaching students the art of musical performance, Bob Harrison has had an interesting career. Today, the retired virtuoso lives with his wife in Castle Valley with his two dogs and a parakeet. He is a master penman – someone who has mastered the art of calligraphy…
Castle Pines City Council unanimously approved a plan to form an urban renewal authority that will set aside a portion of future tax revenues for business district improvements. Council members voted May 9 in favor of a resolution to establish the Castle Pines Urban Renewal District, which will encompass the existing commercial district west of…
On the final day of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) Citizens Academy, class discussion centered on emotional survival in law enforcement. It has become a priority for DCSO, and we were reminded of the importance of mental health, particularly in this line of work. DCSO officers and first responders are faced with emotionally taxing…
Imagine all the rain collected during our rainstorm the first week of May. If you had a barrel system already in place, the 48-hour downpour was a gift from the heavens. It was a desire to conserve that brought 30 Douglas County residents together to take part in a rain harvesting workshop put on by…
Castle Pines North Metro District staff, board of directors and their families, and community members gathered prior to the May 22 regular board meeting to bid farewell to departing directors Chris Lewis, Denise Crew and Chuck Lowen, and to welcome incoming directors Leah Enquist, James Mulvey and Jana Krell. Thank you all for your service…
Do you have a passion for helping people? Then we need you. We invite you to join an exciting, dedicated group of community members who serve Douglas County in an essential way. These are our #DCSO victim assistance (VA) volunteers, and our newest volunteer is Kingston. The Victim Assistance Program is a unit within the…
From the outside, Surrey Ridge resident Annie Mohler appears to live a “picture perfect” life. She fully and completely agrees. Mohler is a master photographer who lives on a farmhouse property north of Castle Pines Parkway with her husband, Seth, who she says is the funniest man on the planet, and their two daughters, Ava…
Snooze Mattress Company held its grand opening on April 22. The store is located in Promenade at Castle Rock. Photos courtesy of Snooze Mattress Company
Dr. Mansur Nurdel has lived in Castle Pines with his wife, Roza, for 15 years. They have two sons, Ryan (22) and Dustin (20). Nurdel and his wife enjoy daily walks through Daniel’s Gate Park and the beautiful views it has to offer. Nurdel and Roza are both originally from Iran, and each fled their…
Paul Carpenter is an 11-year-old boy who just finished fifth grade at Flagstone Elementary School in Castle Rock. What you see on the outside is a super happy and fun child who everyone adores. But, behind those amazing brown eyes, is a boy who was not expected to survive after birth and who has faced…
Breckenridge may be a favored Colorado staycation and ski resort, but to Sofia and David Dunlay, the Breckenridge they hold close their hearts is their 2-year-old mini Bernedoodle. Breckenridge has been a strong part of the Dunlay family since she was 6 weeks old. Named after the popular ski resort, Breckenridge or “Breck” is a…
What happens when tragedy strikes helpers? First responders put themselves in harm’s way each day to make sure others are safe and cared for in the worst of times. But unfortunate events impact helpers too, and when they do, South Metro Professional Firefighters Foundation (SMPFF), a 501(c)(3) comprised solely of volunteers, is ready to step…
Kylie Hutchison moved to Castle Pines when she was 12 years old. She attended Rocky Heights Middle School and graduated from Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) in 2019. On May 12th, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma (OU) with a degree in microbiology and minors in chemistry and medical humanities. While at RCHS, Hutchison…
This year’s Colorado nonprofit Mini Derby was held on May 6 at Sky View Farm in Castle Rock. The event featured live music, food, desserts, whiskey tasting, raffles, live/silent auctions, viewing of the Kentucky Derby, and the fun-to-watch miniature horse derby. Roughly 200 people attended the event, raising $19,000 benefiting six, local nonprofits: Robin’s Nest…
The 149th Kentucky Derby was held May 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky and Allison and Tyson Jones hosted their 3rd Derby party on Serena Drive. Friendly wagering transpired, prizes were given for best dressed couple and best hat and a good time was had by all. By Hollen Wheeler; photo courtesy of Katherine…
Dear Readers, Isn’t it exciting? Concert season is here! Can we talk about concert etiquette and why it is important? Concert etiquette exists to ensure everyone has an equally good time. You’ve made the plans, you’ve paid a small fortune for the tickets, and you’re hopeful that this concert will be all you’ve dreamed of.…
Ladies – and even a few gentlemen – from Castle Pines donned their best derby hats for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts annual fundraiser, Women with Hattitude, which supports the work of women in the American theatre. Courtesy photos
Writers have a tendency to hype their subjects. After all, why write about them if they were merely good? With the Sedalia Manhart Family, no doubt remains about their seminal role in the town once called Round Corral. That the main street is Manhart Street settles any argument. Christian Manhart’s birth in 1835 started things…
Anyone lucky enough to have been inside the vast and vibrant greenhouses of Dutch Heritage Gardens knows that it is one of the must-see places in Douglas County. Nestled off a country road in the unincorporated southeastern part of the county, the 20-acre greenhouse complex defies adequate description; the words “stunning” and “awe-inspiring” do not…
Dad, Father, Pops. Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18. This month’s book recommendations honor the men in our lives and the wisdom, support, strength, determination and humor they model. The Whisper Man by Alex North. “In this dark, suspenseful thriller, Alex North weaves a multi-generational tale of a father and son caught in the…
Legacy Village resident Libby Wright is 100! Libby was celebrated by her friends at Legacy Village with a surprise party and visit from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office making her an honorary deputy (left). Her celebration continued with a formal event held by family and close friends at Cherokee Ranch & Castle (right). The family…
I eat lunch every day. I am sure there are some readers who might find this a strange thing to “admit” – I mean, most people do, right? But there you have it, since the early 1970s, I have eaten lunch nearly every day. I love to eat lunch – it is a nice chance…
The Hamlet resident Marco Fields is a mother, businesswoman, volunteer, champion for women and one of 70 million people in the world who are living with vitiligo, an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the melanocytes, the cells that determine hair and skin color. When this happens, the pigments change or disappear leaving…
There were 11 students from Rock Canyon High School who signed letters of intent to play their sport at the collegiate level. It takes a great deal of discipline and hard work to balance academics and athletics, so we commend these student athletes! By Lisa…
After using a vegetable peeler, don’t throw the peels, skins and stalks of produce away! Turns out, there are many valuable nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in those “throw-away” parts of produce. Use organic when possible and scrub well, whether organic or not. By consuming them in some way or using them to…
Bugs such as flies, bees, wasps and the dreaded mosquito serve a purpose – they are a food source for birds and other animals, and they pollinate flowers. However, they are called pests for a reason. When they bite, sting and swarm in the warmer months, it is helpful to have some natural ways to…
Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) has participated in Wish Week for 14 years. Each year, the student council partners with Make-A-Wish Colorado to organize school and community-wide fundraising activities. In 2010, RCHS joined the Kids for Wish Kids team – a part of Make-A-Wish Colorado specifically designed to get today’s youth involved in creating life-changing…
Meet 16-year-old Hannah Shur. Her parents, like most, are beyond proud of her. That is why they nominated her to be featured as a Talented Teen in The Castle Pines Connection. Hannah not only excels in her classes at Colorado Early College, consistently earning credits for college, but excels in whatever she puts her mind…
In the May issue, The Connection featured a list of 80108 graduating seniors from all Douglas County High Schools. Inadvertently, the Castle View High School list featured juniors and not seniors. Our sincerest apologies. Here is the correct list of Castle View High School graduating seniors from the 80108 ZIP code: Ashlyn Albert Saira Ali…
Rock Canyon High School’s junior-senior prom, A Starry Night Soirée, was April 29 at Infinity Park followed by late night after-prom activities at the school. Caption by Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos